Ethology and Evolution

• What is the scientific study of animal behavior called?

  Ethology
• Why is aggression across the animal kingdom interesting to psychologists?

  It raises questions about human aggression's uniqueness
• What opportunity does observing animals provide in studying aggression?

  Study aggression without social and cultural influences
• How is aggression viewed in the context of human evolution?

  As an evolutionary advantage for survival
• What does Lorenz argue about aggression in animals?

  It builds up as a drive
• What is an innate releasing mechanism?

  A neural circuit that stops aggression
• What triggers the innate releasing mechanism in wolves?

  External stimuli like territory invasion
• What is a fixed action pattern?

  Innate behaviors shared across a species
• What did Tinbergen's study on sticklebacks demonstrate?

  Innate releasing mechanisms triggered by color
• What was the outcome of Sackett's study on baby monkeys?

  Monkeys showed defensive postures to aggression
• How does the application of animal aggression studies to humans have limitations?

  Human aggression is often premeditated
• What survival advantages does aggression provide according to evolutionary theory?

  Helps in mating and resource competition
• Why is male sexual jealousy considered extreme from an evolutionary perspective?

  Males cannot be certain of paternity
• What did Daly and Wilson's study on murder rates reveal?

  Non-genetically related family members are more dangerous
• What did Sadalla's study find about female preferences for male traits?

  Females prefer dominant males over aggressive ones
• What ethical implications arise from evolutionary explanations of male aggression?

  Justification of male violence towards women
• How have aggression levels changed over the last 30 years?

  There has been a reduction in violent crimes
• What does evolutionary theory suggest about aggression in humans?

  It is due to biological forces for survival